Choosing a Trainer is an Important Decision.
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The pandemic has tested us in so many ways. One way new owners have been tested is by facing a tidal wave of new "dog trainers" washing up on the social media scene. Sadly, most of them are not trained, certified or qualified. Many trainers in our area are seeing many clients who have had terrible experiences with newbie trainers. They and their dogs have been hurt. Experience matters.
Why are punishment-based strategies bad for pets?Shock collars, prong collars and the like used to be the norm, but since about 2009 research began to inform us that punishment and fear-based training can actually increases unwanted behaviors. Dogs learn to avoid pain or fear by shutting down and avoiding interaction in order to keep from being hurt or scared. This approach increases stress chemicals in the bloodstream, and makes the dog more fearful and reactive. This approach can shut dogs down temporarily, but it isn't a real fix.
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Why is our rewards-based training so successful?
Many studies in the past ten years or so show that dogs learn to do what we want much more quickly and easily by reinforcing their behavior when they get it right rather than punishing them when they get it wrong. Our proven methods of Skinnerian and Pavlovian conditioning give your dog a leg up. These good behaviors quickly become second nature and stay with your pet, making him a happy, well-adjusted family member.
